Revisits the middle-level school movement. Provides an overview of young adolescents' development, offers representative examples of developmentally appropriate practices, and looks at progress educators have made as well challenges encountered. Emphasizes the importance of understanding physical, pychosocial, and cognitive development in young…

Considers addressing problems of urban schools by basing educational practices on effective schools literature and accepted middle school concepts. Recommends ways to improve inner-city schools which include teaching educators to understand urban learners, teaching higher-order and critical thinking skills, pairing adult mentors with learners, and…